The Easiest Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe for Cozy Nights

Cold winter nights call for a hearty beef stew that simmers to perfection in an instant pot beef stew recipe.

Tender chunks of meat melt into a rich, savory broth that warms you from the inside out.

Robust root vegetables add depth and nutrition to this classic comfort dish.

Each spoonful carries the essence of home-cooked goodness, blending traditional flavors with modern cooking convenience.

The instant pot transforms tough cuts of beef into mouthwatering, fall-apart tender morsels in a fraction of the time.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this one-pot wonder that promises to become a staple in your recipe collection.

Stew Ingredients For The Instant Pot Crowd

• Beef Cubes: Tender meat pieces that form the hearty base of the stew.

• Onion, Celery, Garlic: Aromatic base that adds depth and flavor to the stew.
• Potatoes, Carrots: Classic root vegetables that provide texture and earthy sweetness.

• Beef Broth: Rich liquid that creates the stew's savory foundation.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing and adding a subtle richness.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that adds depth and slight acidity.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides a tangy and umami flavor enhancement.
• Thyme, Bay Leaves: Herb blend that introduces aromatic complexity.
• Flour or Cornstarch: Thickening agent to achieve desired stew consistency.
• Water: Used to mix with thickening agent.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green garnish that adds fresh flavor and visual appeal.

Easy Steps For Beef Stew, Pressure Cooker Style

Step 1: Sizzle and Seal Beef Cubes

Heat the Instant Pot on sauté mode and drizzle olive oil.

Drop beef cubes into the hot pot, allowing them to develop a rich golden-brown crust.

Once perfectly seared, transfer the beef to a separate plate, keeping those flavorful juices locked in.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatic Vegetables

In the same pot, toss in chopped onions, diced celery, and minced garlic.

Let these vegetables dance and soften, releasing their incredible fragrance and creating a flavor foundation for the stew.

Step 3: Build Hearty Stew Base

Return the seared beef to the Instant Pot.

• Chunky potato pieces
• Sliced carrots
• Beef broth
• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Fresh thyme sprigs
• Bay leaves

Stir everything together, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and coated.

Step 4: Pressure Cook to Perfection

Secure the Instant Pot lid and set to high-pressure cooking mode.

Let the stew simmer and meld flavors for 35 minutes, transforming tough meat into tender, mouthwatering bites.

Step 5: Natural Pressure Release

After cooking, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes.

Then quickly release any remaining pressure to complete the cooking process.

Step 6: Enhance Stew Consistency

For a luxuriously thick stew, mix flour or cornstarch with water to create a smooth slurry.

Activate the sauté function and stir the mixture into the stew, watching it thicken beautifully.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the stew.

Ladle into warm bowls and enjoy this comforting, hearty meal that promises to warm hearts and satisfy appetites.

Pressure Cooker Secrets: Stew Perfection

• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for tender, flavorful results that melt in your mouth.
• Cut vegetables into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
• Create a smooth slurry by whisking flour or cornstarch with cold water before adding to prevent lumps in your sauce.
• Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during cooking to deepen the rich, complex taste of the beef stew.
• Season meat before browning and adjust seasoning at the end to enhance the overall depth of flavor.

Change Up Your Stew – Add-Ins & Ideas

• Vegetarian Hearty Stew: Replace beef with firm tofu, seitan, or mushrooms like portobello for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Lamb Variation: Swap beef cubes with tender lamb shoulder pieces for a richer, more intense flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute potatoes with cauliflower florets and add extra root vegetables like turnips for reduced carbohydrate content.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free beef broth, cornstarch instead of flour for thickening, and ensure Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free.

Serving Up Stew, Cozy Style

• Cozy Comfort Plate: Serve this hearty beef stew in deep ceramic bowls to capture all the delicious broth and chunks of tender meat.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Pair with crusty sourdough or warm garlic bread to soak up the rich, savory liquid and add a delightful texture contrast.
• Winter Warmth Bowl: Ladle the stew over creamy mashed potatoes or steamed rice for an extra filling and satisfying meal that hugs your soul.
• Fresh Green Touch: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top to add a bright, herbal note and bring some color to the deep, rich stew.

Stash Your Stew: Instant Pot Edition

• Store leftover beef stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odors from spreading.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze for up to 4 months. Label containers with the date to track storage time.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly. Add a splash of broth if the stew seems dry.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat for this stew?

Yes, you can substitute beef with chuck roast, stew meat, or even lamb for a different flavor profile.

• Do I need to cut the vegetables into specific sizes?

Cut vegetables into roughly 1-inch chunks to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.

• Is it okay to skip the sautéing step?

No, sautéing the beef and vegetables first helps develop deeper flavors and creates a more complex taste in the final dish.

• Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?

You can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker or Dutch oven, adjusting cooking times and liquid amounts accordingly.

Instant Pot Beef Stew: Hearty, Fast, Satisfying

• Speed Up Weeknight Cooking: Instant Pot transforms this classic beef stew into a quick, hassle-free meal that delivers rich, comforting flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this single-pot recipe that combines all ingredients together, reducing dishes and saving precious after-dinner time.
• Adaptable Dinner Solution: Easily customize the stew with vegetables you have on hand, making it a flexible option for using up produce and satisfying different taste preferences.
• Nutritious Family Meal: Packed with protein-rich beef, hearty vegetables, and robust seasonings, this stew provides a balanced, wholesome dinner that appeals to both kids and adults.

Instant Pot Beef Stew Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, combining tender meat and rich vegetables in a soul-warming blend. Rustic flavors and quick preparation make this classic dish a perfect weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef chuck, cubed

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup frozen peas (optional)

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) beef broth
• 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) red wine (optional)
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour

Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons (8 grams) fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Heat Instant Pot on sauté mode and caramelize beef cubes in olive oil until golden brown, then transfer to a separate plate.
2. In the same pot, sauté chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic until fragrant and slightly translucent.
3. Return browned beef to the pot and layer in diced potatoes, sliced carrots, beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and bay leaves, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
4. Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to sealing position, and pressure cook on high for 35 minutes.
5. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully perform quick release for remaining pressure.
6. For a more robust consistency, whisk flour or cornstarch with cold water until smooth, then stir into the stew while using sauté function to gently thicken for 2-3 minutes.
7. Remove bay leaves, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot in deep bowls.

Notes

• Ensure beef cubes are pat dry before browning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and enhance flavor development.
• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for tender, melt-in-your-mouth results that guarantee rich, deep taste.
• Cut vegetables into uniform chunks to promote even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
• For gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when thickening the sauce, maintaining the same creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 348 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 540 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg